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Tuesday, October 25, 2016

A Huge Sephora Haul

Before packing for my next trip to NYC (10 days and counting), I feel it is only right that I finally sit down and share what I purchased the last time I set foot in Sephora - I mean I've only been home for three months, so it is more than overdue. On the plus side, as I have dragged my feet in terms of publishing this post, I can offer not only a list of things I purchased but also first impressions too - which let's face it is a whole lot more interesting than just photos of my latest acquisitions. So without further ado...

You pack all your belongings into a compact suitcase, check, double check and still you will arrive at your destination without at least one - and in my instance very needed - everyday item. In the case of this vocation it was a bottle of foundation, the one product I use practically daily and yet I neglected to slip a bottle or two into my make-up bag. Luckily in the city that never sleeps, there is a Sephora on just about every corner and I need no further encouragement than that. After much deliberation (and the constant reminder of the balmy Summer temperatures via sweat beads) I decided to try Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Make-Up once again and boy am I glad I did; there is nothing this flawless and perfectly matte foundation can not handle: from sweat, oil and even the odd rain shower, all the while remaining intact and fresh. Yes I am converted once again.

I haven't tried a whole lot of Kat Von D make-up but the one product I can fully recommend is the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks - they are worth all the hype and then some. If you want an entirely matte but lightweight and longwearing lipstick (liquid or not), then this is what you've been waiting for. Admittedly the shade Noble is a little prone to applying patchy (I think it may be because it is so light in tone?) but otherwise I can't complain. For those who love a nude with strong 90's vibes, do yourself a favour and pick up Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bow n Arrow - it is all I want from a neutral lip shade and then some.

Imagine NARS Albatross Highlighter but on steroids (yeah I can't quite believe I had the gall to type that either) and you have Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bow n Arrow. Not only can you use this insanely pigmented eyeshadow for it's intended purpose but also to highlight - the silky soft texture, coupled with the bold colour pay off makes this a dream to apply and blend out. As I've said before Champagne Pop who?

Kat Von D Lock It Concealer Crème ($26 via Sephora - link)
On the most part, I do tend to research the vast majority of my beauty purchases but now and then I loose myself to what I like to call "new launch frenzy". Occasionally I will be in-store the very day a new product arrives and then all logic evaporates from my body, in that moment I have to have said product and to hell with logic...or reviews, and this is exactly what happened in regards to Kat Von D Lock It Concealer Crème. In hindsight I should have at least tested said concealer in store, because if I had, I'm guessing I would have decided that this is too heavy for my needs and preferences. If do however happen to be in the market for a full coverage, cream based concealer this could be worth seeking out, just know that it is heavy, thick and very much a flat, cover-all product that is not ideal for the under-eye area.

This is one of the few things I've yet to try but I imagine I won't be disappointed - I mean how wrong can a pretty pink blush and shimmery gold highlighter go? I have read that this line of duos are limited edition, a real shame as they are perfectly sized and feature two shades that compliment one and other beautifully, taking the fuss out of cheek products.

As a huge - and I mean huge - fan of Tarte's cheek products, I all but grabbed the Tarte Amazon Clay Highlighter in Exposed Highlight knowing full well that if I didn't I'd kick myself. Much like the blushes of the same name, the Tarte Amazon Clay Highlighter in Exposed Highlight is a firm powder that packs in more pigment than some of us can handle. Weirdly despite being super saturated in terms of pigment, this is not overly shimmery - if anything this is quite a subdued highlighter and perfect for everyday use. It may not be my favourite highlighter of all time but it sure is pretty.

Sephora own brand make-up is so underrated which is a shame as it is such a beautiful, well formulated line that offers plenty of choice and often innovation. Admitedly the Sephora eyeshadows may not boast the quality standards of say Urban Decay they are not to be missed: a soft, easy to blend and apply formulation that comes in a world of shade options. In the end I settled on the shades Latergram (a bronzed coral that doubles up as a blush) and My Teddy Bear (a cool toned bronze) that have found their home in my everyday make-up bag - if that doesn't say it all, I don't know what does.

When I'm blonde (and those days are numbered as I am so over the stress it puts on my hair), I love nothing more than a pretty and mostly bright coral or peach blush. I find such family of shades brighten and lift my complexion not to mention it works with my blue eyes. Sephora Colorful Long Lasting Blush in Sweet On You is the perfect matte summer coral shade, it packs a punch in terms of pigment and as it is matte, it does not settle into my enlarged pores. I will be back for a handful of other shades come my next visit, mark my words.

Sephora Rouge Shine Lipsticks in Run on Love and Obsessed with You ($12.50 each via Sephora -link)
I mean it would be rude to not to pick up a few lip Sephora lip colours, especially when the rest of the make-up line preforms so well. In the end, I decided to skip Sephora's matte line and focused on the slightly sheerer but ultra moisturising Sephora Rouge Shine range. I can't quite think of what the Sephora Rouge Shine Lipsticks remind me of but they are a great, nourishing everyday formulation that doesn't feather, bleed, smudge or smear - perfect. Being as basic as I am, I bought two fairly muted shades: Run on Love - a nude pink and Obsessed with You - a coral pink. As I said before, I can't recommend Sephora's own line of cosmetics enough!

So the shade doesn't exactly suit me (damn in-store harsh fluorescent lighting) but my gosh is this formulation as near to perfection as humanly possible. The light gel texture, glides on to the lips, evenly coating and nourishing the skin in one quick, almost matte coat. If the best lipbalm in the world and a great lipstick had a baby, it would be Buxom Bold Gel Lipstick in Naturally Daring. I will have to seek out a more "me" shade in the next couple of weeks.

Another shade that was bought because it looked great in-store, once in natural light I realised this is a bright, blue based pink that is not at all something that works with my skin tone. Sadly I bought this on the last day so I couldn't return it - lesson, well and truly learnt.

I'm pretty sure the shade name is a nod to the Wu-Tang Clan (Cash Rules Everything Around Me?) - that or I have read too much into things and maybe need to re-think my current playlist? Anyway if like me you enjoy nude but milky pink shades then this is one to pick up - not only is the shade truly flattering but the coconut oil based formula means it glides on with ease, packing in plenty of nourishment as it goes.

Yes I bought an orange eyeshadow and do you know what? It has turned out to be one of my favourite beauty buys of the year. If you have blue or green eyes do yourself a favour and seek out an orange based eye product of some sort. Personally I like to blend my orange shadow into a neutral but almost smoky eye for maximum impact. I'm sure it all but goes without saying that the Make Up For Ever formulation is all but perfection - bold, easy to use and of course long wearing.

If you have made it this far, tell me what should I add to my current lengthy Sephora wish list? I mean it never hurts to have a few more opinions or suggestions, now does it? Also if you'd like to see a full review of anything (including any of the billion pink lipsticks I bought...I mean really girl?) do let me know.

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Products and items that are featured on The Sunday Girl may have been sent for consideration of feature, or may be items that I have purchased myself. Regardless all opinions expressed on this site are of my own and honest. Any sponsored content will be clearly marked, you can read my full disclaimer here at any time.

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